Min-ji stood in front of Soo-yeon, her heart pounding in her chest. She had finally gathered the courage to confront her stepmother, to demand the freedom she deserved. The manuscript of her true life story lay on the table, a testament to the pain and suffering she had endured.
"Soo-yeon, I need to talk to you," Min-ji said, her voice firm and steady.
Soo-yeon's eyes narrowed, her expression cold. "What is it, Min-ji? I'm busy."
Min-ji took a deep breath, her hands shaking. "I've been writing my story, my true story. And I've realized that I can't stay here anymore. I'm leaving."
Soo-yeon's expression changed, her eyes widening in shock. "What are you talking about, Min-ji? This is your home."
Min-ji laughed, a bitter sound. "This is not my home. This is a prison. You've been using me, exploiting me, and treating me like a slave. I'm not going to take it anymore."
Soo-yeon's face turned red with anger. "How dare you! I've taken care of you, fed you, and clothed you. You owe me everything."
Min-ji shook her head, her eyes blazing with determination. "I owe you nothing. You've taken everything from me, except my dignity. And I'm not going to let you take that away from me."
Jin-tae, who had been watching the scene unfold, sneered at Min-ji. "You think you're smart, don't you? You think you can just leave and make it on your own? You'll be back, begging for scraps."
Min-ji smiled, a sense of calm washing over her. "I'm not going to beg, Jin-tae. I'm going to make it, and I'm going to succeed. And when I do, I'll make sure to remember the people who helped me along the way."
Soo-yeon's face turned pale, realizing that Min-ji was serious. "Fine, leave then. See if you can make it on your own."
Min-ji nodded, a sense of freedom washing over her. "I will. And I'll make sure to send you a copy of my book, when it's published."
Min-ji turned and walked away, her heart pounding with excitement. She had done it, she had finally stood up for herself.
She quickly packed her belongings, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked around the room that had been her prison for so long. She took one last look at the manuscript on the table, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.
As she walked out of the house, Min-ji felt a sense of liberation, like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill her lungs.
She hailed a taxi, and as she drove away from the house, she felt a sense of excitement, a sense of possibility. She was starting a new life, a life free from abuse and exploitation.
The taxi dropped her off at a small apartment, a place she had rented with the money she had saved from her writing. Min-ji smiled, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.
She unpacked her belongings, her eyes falling on the manuscript on her desk. She sat down, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.
She began to write, the words flowing like a river. She wrote of her new life, of her newfound freedom. She wrote of her hopes, her dreams, and her determination.
As she wrote, Min-ji felt a sense of peace, a sense of closure. She knew that she had finally found her voice, her platform, and her purpose.
The phone buzzed, a message from EditorK – 'Min-ji, we're publishing your book! It's going to be a bestseller!'
Min-ji smiled, tears of joy streaming down her face. She had done it, she had finally made it.